Pinkie Brown - The young, sociopathic leader of a gang in Brighton. He is Catholic but has no moral qualms about committing heinous acts like murder. Pinkie is described as having a "horribly thin body" and being "under-sized".

Ida Arnold - A kind-hearted but persistent woman who becomes an amateur detective investigating the murder of Fred Hale after he confides in her. Ida is agnostic and represents a moral counterpoint to the Catholic but evil Pinkie.

Rose - A naive young waitress who gets drawn into Pinkie's world after witnessing one of his crimes. Despite her devotion to Catholicism, she marries the violent Pinkie out of fear.

Fred Hale - A journalist who is murdered by Pinkie's gang after stumbling onto their criminal activities. His death sets the main events of the novel in motion.

Kite - The former leader of Pinkie's gang who is killed off-page before the novel begins, allowing the young Pinkie to take over.

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Morality and Sin
The novel delves into the moral ambiguity of its characters, particularly the young gangster Pinkie Brown who is the embodiment of evil. Greene examines the concepts of sin, guilt, and the possibility of redemption even for the most depraved souls through God's mercy.

Catholicism
As one of Greene's "Catholic novels", Brighton Rock is steeped in Catholic imagery and theology. The characters' actions and inner struggles are viewed through the prism of Catholic doctrine on mortal sin, confession, and the afterlife of heaven and hell.

Youth and Violence
Pinkie represents the defiant youth culture that was emerging, foreshadowing the rebellious youth movements of later decades. His casual brutality and lack of remorse for his crimes shocks the reader.

Good vs Evil
The novel sets up a stark contrast between the innocent Rose, who represents goodness, and the malevolent Pinkie. Their relationship becomes a battle between forces of good and evil for Rose's soul.

Brighton as a Symbolic Setting
The seaside town of Brighton acts as more than just a backdrop - its festive, touristy facade masks the seedy criminal underbelly represented by the gang wars over territory. This juxtaposition reinforces the novel's exploration of outward appearances versus inner moral decay.

In summation, Brighton Rock uses a gripping crime narrative to probe deeper questions of morality, faith, youth culture, and humanity's struggle between good and evil - themes that have kept it a celebrated work of 20th century literature.

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The novel received considerable praise from literary critics for its complex characters. Greene's skillful writing and ability to create a gripping, dark atmosphere were highly commended. His ability to blend the plot with existential and moral questions set the novel apart from more conventional thrillers of the time.

Despite its critical acclaim, "Brighton Rock" was also controversial. Its depiction of violence, crime, and the underbelly of society was stark and unflinching, which some readers found disturbing. The novel's portrayal of the sociopathic teenager Pinkie and his ruthless behavior shocked some segments of the readership.

Overall, "Brighton Rock" was recognized as a bold and masterful work that cemented Graham Greene's status as one of the leading writers of his time. Its combination of thriller elements with profound moral and philosophical questions ensured its place as a landmark novel in English literature.